Piano beater



c. F. swan/m0.

PIANO PLAYER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1, I908- RENEWED 00L 2!. 1911.

Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

ng gnanun }nnu Bun 18 ll/itnesses: mw

C. F. STODDARD.

PIANO PLAYER. APPLICATION men JULY 1. 190a. RENEWED OCT. 21. 1917. 1,409,478

Patented Mar. 14, 1922. Izyb 2' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

m H E: fl v a u m n p u fl a a i M ii": i un v 7 WHY t. H|J m v w 6w HIIIIHL 4% n u 7 a l ML. u www UNITED STATES, eaten-T OF enemies r; sronnnnngor nosren, ivrnssnonusnrrs, Assienoa 'ro' AMERICAN PIANO CGMPANY, or NEW YORK, N: r a oonr'onn'rron or new JERSEY;

PIANO PLAYER:

Specification of Letters Patent. i Pafen t ed M31. 14,1922,

a e se-11a July 7, 1908, Serial no 442,288. Renewed October 27,1917: Serial No. 198,880. I

i To all whom it may concern ;Be it known that I, GrrARLns'F, Sronmama. citizen of the United States,- and a resident of Bostomin the countyot: Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Piano Players,

of which the following description, in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing: like parts.

This invention relates to automatic means for playing musical instruments; such as pianos; and pertains more particularly to,

means forfgoverning tone intensities.

provide ap'paratuscapable of governing the energy used for soundinga tone or tones, as for striking the strings of a piano; and the to.,tl1isle nd, I I v For, illustration, the accompanylng draw in gs show, onepracticable embodimentiof; the invention employing suitable pneumatically "rgOVGIDGCl devices in cooperation with a. piano. action; but, as will appear to those, skilled in the art, theinvention is susceptible" of embodiment in various constructions and organizations other than that particularly shown'and described herein;

v In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation ofa typical piano action with operating and govermng means embodying the inventlon; and

Fig, 2 represents a practicable form ofmusic'sheet which may be employedto'cone trol the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now to Fig.1, a typicalkeyaction is shown in 1tsnormal POSltlOIl'Of rest. 7

When the key A is struck it elevatesa sticker B, rockinga hammer C and causing the lat-' ter'to strike a string D, at the same time withdrawing from the'string a damper E.

, This same, operation may be effected auto matlcally as'well understood in the art,-as

by means 01 a motor pneumatic F, suitably controlled from'atracker board G as'presently described, which acts through the medium'ot a sticker H toelevate a rocker I controlling'the hammer C.

invention contemplates simple and. stable, though accurate and effective, means The chamber 5 communicates by, a suitable duct with a diaphragm chamber under a valve 8 which controls'a-second duct between thechamber 6 and the interior of the pneumatic Ff A valve-9 controls a port of the chamber 5;.and, in turn, is controlled'by adiaphragm, tothe under face of which at mospheric pressure isadmitted through a I conduit '10 leading tova vent inthe tracker v board'G, The operation of these parts is Among other objects, the invention may such that opening of the tracker board vent of the-conduit 10'lifts the valve 9; which off atmospheric pressure from the pneumatic F by said valve 8 and opens communication between the chamber 6 which is the usual exhaust chamber and the pneumatic, wheresticker H. I

The preceding description is merely explanatory or" one form of tone producing means which may be used in practising the inventlo'n; 1 Ingthe preferred embodiment illustrated a in the drawings the intensity with which the string D is struck, is determined'by governing the tension in the chamher 6, which acts upon the motor pneumatic F; I I

The trunk 7', which may communicate with all of the key actions collectively, is alsoin communication with a chest 12, in which thetension may be regulated by means presently to bedescribed. There is also provided a high tension chest 14: in

which the tension may be maintained in any desireddegree, as by means of feed bellows 15, 15 actuated inany suitable manner, as by having their boards connected by links 16 with a crankshaft 17, driven; through a worm and gear bya motor 18. One of the bellows 15 is su'fiiciently broken away to show communication from the interior'there- 'of to the high tension chest 14 with a flap uniform tension in the chest 14, and this may be done by a governing pneumatic 21 having a port 22 connecting the interior of the pneumatic with the high tension chest 14. Within the pneumatic is a governing spring 23 which tends to distend the pneumatic and balance the efi'ect thereupon of the tension in the chest14. A flap valve 24 on the pneumatic 21 has a preferably adj ustable stop device 25 such that when excessive tension in the chest 14 collapses the pneumatic beyond a certain point (against the spring 23) the stop device, abutting against the top board of the pneumatic, Will open the valve 24- so as to reduce the tension,the eifect being to govern the tension and maintain it substantially uniform.

Between the high tension chest 14 and the regulated tension chest 12 is a chamber 30, having ports communicating with said chests respectively. One set of said ports (for example, those communicating with the high tension chest 14) is provided with a piston valve 31, by which communication between the two chests may be governed so as to subject the regulated tension more or less to the effect of the high tension.

The stem 32 of the valve 31 is preferably connected to the latter by parti-spherical nuts threading on said stem at opposite sides of the face of the valve, thereby permitting the latter to adjust itself readily to the chamber 30 and slide freely therein. The stem 32 projects upwardly with a close though sliding fit, through the top wall of the chamber 30 and into a series of cylinders where it is connected to pistons 34, 35 and 36. Preferably this tier of pistons is embraced on opposite sides by parti-spherical nuts 33, threading on the valve stem 32; and adjacent pistons may be separated by flanged collars 37 and 38, all'of which are preferably so assembled as to permit the pistons to adjust themselves readily to their cylinders without danger of binding.

The valve 31, the pistons 34, 35 and 36, and other parts connected thereto, are preferred to be of light construction-as by being made of aluminumso as to have minimum inertia in the operation of the devices as presently described. Also it is preferred that the piston structure be unrestrained by mechanical means, so that it may be balanced, or otherwise completely controlled, pneumatically, as by being sus pended pneumatically.

A duct 40, communicates with the cylinder above the piston 36. A duct 41 communicates with the cylinder between the pistons 35 and 36; and a duct 42 communicates with the cylinder between the pistons 34 and 35. Beneath the piston 34 the cylinder is preferably open to atmospheric pressure through one or more ports 43.

As hereinafter described, the ducts 40, 41

the piston valve 31 in the chamber 30. The

tension at the under side of the piston valve 31 is that prevailing in the high tension chest 14, which is preferably constant.

Under the specific conditions described, different; tensions involved control the collective piston structure with the result about to be explained.

As illustrated, the piston 36 is of less area than the piston 35, and the latter is of less area than the piston 34. The regulated tension between the pistons 35 and 36 exerts a downward pull on the latter and an upward pull on the former, the resultant pull being proportioned to the differential between the two piston areas. In the specific instance cited this resultant is an upward pull on the valve stem 32, which is augmented by the pull of regulated tension in the chamber 30 on the upper face of the piston valve 31.

Opposing these collective upward pulls, the preferably constant high tension in chest 14 exerts a downward pull on the piston valve 31. Thus the high tension acts downwardly on the area of the piston valve 31; while the regulated tension acts upwardly upon the same area and, in addition, upon the differential of the areas of pistons 35 and 36. The greater piston area is therefore favorable to an upward pull; and an upward movement will result unless there exist an inverse proportion between the opposed piston areas and the regulated and high tensions. WVhenever such proportion prevails, however, the collective piston structure may be held in balance without movement.

If from any cause the balance be destroyed so that an upward movement results, the piston valve 31 will be elevated to restrict the openings between the high tension chest 14 and the chamber 30, thereby reducing the flow of air between the chests 14 and 12, and thus reducing the regulated tension in the latter. The regulated tension being a C0111- ponent factor in the prevailing upward pull, the described reduction in said tension diminishes the upward pull until the balancing proportion is restored, whereupon the piston structure may be balanced and come to rest.

If on the other hand, the balance be destroyed so that a downward movement results, the piston valve 31 will be depressed,

come to rest.-

'so. as to enlarge the opening between the position such that the balancing proportion shall always prevail. For the purposes of this discussion (but without essentially limiting the inventionthereto) it may be assumed that two of the factors involved in this proportion are constant, to wit: the high tension, and the piston valve area acted uponby high tension. The other factors may be considered variables, to wit: the piston areas acted upon by regulated tension, and the regulated tension itself. As hereinafter described, 1

said piston area factormay be varied ac cording to any practicable method of control (as by a perforated sheet) and may govern the balancing proportion so as to determine the regulated pressure. l

' For example, if regulated tension be admitted between pistons 34 and '35 in addition to between pistons 35 and 36, the effect of the same on opposite sides of piston 35 will balance and the resultant will be proportioned to the differential of the areas of pistons 34 and 36,this differential being in the specific construction considerably greater than that heretofore considered between pistons 35 .and 36. Accordingly, the variable piston area factor will be considerably increased; and,'by the inverse proportion, the regulated tension may be decreased in some manner so that the proportion can prevail again to balance the piston structure. As presently described, such decrease in the regulated tension may result from various causes; but when once secured, the proportion may be automatically maintained. Thus, so long as the piston areas acted upon by the regulated tension remain "the same, the effective regulated tension may also remain substantially unchanged;

For another example, assume that the cylinders between pistons34 and 35, and 35 and 36, be opened to atmosphere, and the cylinder above piston 36 be opened to regulated tension. Under theseconditions, regulated tension will act upwardly upon the piston 36 alone, with a considerably less pull than either of the other instances heretofore discussed, thereby decreasing the piston area factor of the proportion. Thereupon, the

regulated tension may be increased in some manner, in order to restore the balancing proportion which, when restored may be automatlcally maintained as described.

There are, of course, other permutations and combinations of the piston areas which ,may be utilized for varying this variable factor of the proportion, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

. As described, the piston area'factor of the proportion may be subject to definite control, as by means of a perforated music sheet. Whenever this factor is varied, an inversely proportionate variation may take place in the regulated tension; and such variation may result from a number of causes, such that the piston structure and the piston valve 31 may or may not be moved to assist in the rebalancing to suit the changed conditions.

Normally some leakage of the atmosphere 'to the chest 12 and various partscommunieating therewith, may tend to reduce the regulated tension in said chest, whether or not anyof the motor pneumatics F is in action. Any reduction in regulated tension from such cause may be compensated to a greater or less extent by leakage between the high tension chest 14 and the chest 12, as by leakage past the piston valve 31. If, however, the regulated tension falls so low as to disturb the prevailing balancing proportion there may result a downward movement of the piston structure, enlarging the openings between the'chests 12and 14 enough to permit high tension to restore more or-less the regulated tension in the chest 12. Such action may take place so promptly and quickly that, in effect, it serves to maintain the regulated tension substantially constant, rather than to restore it.

Each motor pneumatic F when idle contains atmospheric pressure which, when the pneumatic is thrown into operation," is opened to the regulated tension, thereby tending to reduce the latter. Obviously, if many motor pneumatics F act simultaneously there may be a considerable tendency to reduction in the regulated tension. Or-

dinarily in the operation of the pianoplayer the regulated tension may be subjected to frequent fluctuations by the operation of the motor pneumatics. Whenever such fluctuation so reduces regulated tension that the balancing proportion is disturbed, the piston valve 31 may enlarge communication between the high tension chest 14 and the chest 12, so as to restore in the latter the tension governed by the prevailing condition of the piston areas in the balancing proportion. As already suggested, this restoring action takes place so promptly and rapidly that it is rather a maintaining action.

From the above it will appear that whatever draughts'are made upon the regulated tension chest 12, from whatever cause, said tension may always be maintained by the described balancing'operation of the piston structure controlling communication between the regulated and high tension'chests. Tm-

factor of the balancing proportion is changed, a new proportion is set up and a change in the regulated tension is at once effected.

It will be noted that the regulating action of the piston structure may act merely to preserve the desired regulated .tension in spite of any draughts made thereupon as for instance by the motor neumatics. That is to say, the re ulating does not necessarily result from varying communication between the high tension chest and the regulated tension chest. For instance, assume that the piston area factor of the proportion is so changed that it requires a considerable reduction in regulated tension in order to establish the balancing proportion. Such change in piston area may be accompanied by the action of a considerable number of motor pneumatics F, which in effect sutlices to reduce the regulated tension so as to establish the balancing proportion. Under such circumstances the mechanism is changed from one proportion to another and the regulated tension is reduced to a lower working level without having any change made in the communication between the two chests 12 and 14. Thus, in greater or less degree, the mere utilization of regulated tension in the chest 12 may cooperate with the variations in the piston area factor of the proportion so that the control of communication between the chests exercised by the piston valve may be of supplemental and auxiliary effect.

Hereinbefore the regulating mechanism has been described. It remains to describe the manner in which the same may be governed, i. e., in the specific instance, the manner in which the variable piston area factor is varied.

Referring again to Fig. 1, the duct 40 connects the cylinder above the piston 36 with a valve chamber 49 which, as shown, is open to atmosphere. In said chamber is a valve 50, arranged for closing alternatively the port to atmosphere, and the opening from said chamber 49 through the duct 51 to the regulated tension chest 12. The valve 50 is controlled by a diaphragm over a chamber 54, which communicates with a duct 56. A two-way valve 58 controls a port from the duct 56 to atmosphere, and a second port from the duct 56 to a chamber 59 communicating by a duct 60 with the high tension chest 14. The valve 58 is controlled by a diaphragm over a chamber 62, which communicates by a duct 63 with a valve box 64. The latter communicates by a duct 66 with a vent 67 in the tracker G. In the box 64 are two valves, 69, 7 O, the former controlling communication between the box 64 and a duct 72 leading to the duct 56; and the valve controls communication from the box 64 through a duct 7 4 to the high tension chest 14. The valve 70 is controlled by a diaphragm over a chamber 76, the latter comvail when the vent 79 is open and the vent 67 closed. Thus atmosphere is admitted to the vent 7 8 and diaphragm chamber 76, distending the diaphragm of the latter and elevating the valve 70. This closes the valve 69 and also opens communication from the diaphragm chamber 62 under the valve 58, through duct 63, valve box 64, and duct 74, to the high tension chest 14. Thereby the diaphragm of chamber 62 is balanced, permitting the valve 58 to close the outlet to atmosphere of the duct 56 and to place the latter in communication through the chamber 59 with theduct 60 and high tension chest 14. This exhausts from the diaphragm chamber 54 under the valve 50 and permits the latter to drop, opening the duct 40 to atmosphere, and closing communication from the regulated tension 12 through the duct 51 with the duct 40. Under these conditions there is high tension in duct 74, valve box 64, duct 68, and diaphragm chamber 62; and also in duct 60, chamber 59, ducts 56 and 72, and diaphragm chamber 54. There is atmosphere in diaphragm chamber 76 and in duct 40.

The conditions just described and shown at V in Fig. 1, may prevail only momentarily since the tracker vent 79 is preferably controlled by short perforations in the sheet so that the vent is open for periods of short duration only.

When the tracker vent 79 is closed with the parts in the positions just described, atmosphere will be drawn through the bleeding vent 80, exhausting from the diaphragm chamber 76, and permitting the valve 70 to descend, thereby closing communication between the duct 74 and the valve box 64. At the same time the valve 69 will be permitted to drop by gravity, since there is high tension on both sides thereof, to wit, in the valve box 64 and duct 72. The condition of the apparatus then prevailing is illustrated at V in Fig. 1, in which high tension is still maintained in the diaphragm cham ber 62, which communicates through duct 63 with the duct 72 (past the valve 69'), through the duct 60, with the high tension chest 14. This maintains the valve 58 closed and thereby continues the exhaust from diaphragm chamber 54 through 'ulator duct 142 open to atmosphere.

ducts I56 and 60', thereby maintaining the valve in the position shown with the leg- The valve mechanism on the right of Fig. lat V may be identical with that at V,--each set :of mechanism being connected with the trackerboard "by two appropriate ducts. The set v has ducts 78 and 66, corresponding respectively to the ducts 78 and f 66 of the set V. Inthe conditions shown the tracker vents '80 and 81 of the-ducts 78 and 66 respectively are both closed.

If now the duct 66 be open,'atmosphere.

will be admitted to the valve box 64.

This

willclosethe valve69" and distend thedia phragm over the chamber 62, thereby elevating the valve .58. Thus atmosphere is admitted past the valve 58' to the diaphragm chamber 54, thereby elevating :the valve 50 and opening communication between the duct 42and duct 51' leading-to the regulated tension chest 12. 1 7

Such a condition of valve mechanism is illustrated at V in Fig. 'l, :in which the valve 69 is closed and thevalve58 is open, admitting atmosphere to the diaphragm chamber 54?, thereby elevating the valve :5O hand opening communication between the duct 41 and duct 51 leading to' the regulated :tension chest. 7 The va'lve' 69 v1may occupy its closed position shown at V only momentarily; for as soon asthe valve 58 .is openedatmosphere is admitted to the. upper sideof the valve'69 of the cylinder ducts 40, 41 or 4:2 this communication may be maintained continuously until positively"and intentionally interrupted by the opening of a duct 78, 78, or In effect, by opening one of the ducts 66, 66 or 66 a valve mechanism is caused to open communication between a cylinder duct and regulated-tension, and is locked in posi-' .tlOIl to mamta-m'such communication.

cordingly, after opening one of said ducts 66, 66 or 66 the same maybe closed at once, if desired, and all notes played subsequently to the opening thereof, will be influenced by the regulation controlled thereby, until that regulationis interrupted by opening'the appropriateduct 7 8, 78 or 7 8 Thus a sustained eiiect maybe produced byhaving the ducts 66, 66 and 66 each controlled by shOrt perforationsin a sheet which may be' just long enoughv to provide for'the initial action of the valve mechanism, whereupon the latter maybe locked in its new position.

Any one, or'any permutation, of the'du'cts 66, 66 and 66 may be open at the same time, thereby'controlling the pistons 34, 35 and 36, singly or permutatively.

1 With the valve mechanism in the condition shown at V (except that the valve 69 may have dropped), the duct 66 being closed. ifthe duct 7 8 'be opened, atmosphere Will be admitted to the diaphragm chamber 76 thereby opening valve 70 closing valve 69 and permitting the diaphragm chamber 62 to be exhausted through 'VELlVG box 64;? and duct 74 Thereupon the valve 58 closes the duct 56 from the atmosphere and permits the same and the diaphragm chamber 54 to be exhausted through the duct 60 This caus'es'the valve 50 to descend, thereby opening to atmosphere the cylinder duct 4-1.

The partsas'thusdescribed occupy the positions shown at V in Fig.1. As soon however, as the vent 83 is closed (and preferably as already described it" is open only momentarily) the parts assume the positions shown at V. I v i "It will be noted that the, various dia phragmchambers are preferably exhausted through duc'ts60, 74:, communicating with v the high tension chest, so that high tension is mum leakage -from the regulated tension chest.

From the above it will be clear that opening any one or more of the tracker ducts 67, 82 or 81, will open the corresponding ducts 66, 66 or 66, thereby'opening to regulated tensionth appropriate parts of the regulating cylinder. One or more of the tracker vents 67, 82 01"81, beingclosed, the opening of the corresponding vent 7 9, 83 or '80! will have the contrary eiiect of interrupting communication between'the appropriate cylinder part and regulated tension. z

The manner in which the tracker vents just referred to are controlled, preferably by a perforated sheet, will be next described. Referring now to Fig. 2, it is assumed that the note sheet there shown is moving in the direction of the arrow. At the right of the notesheetare a number of perforations arranged along lines of Which'those on line 7 9 register with the vent 7 9 of Fig. 1 ;'those on line .67 register with the vent 67; those on the line 83 register with the vent 83 and so on. The other perforations of the note sheet are intended to register with the vents of the tracker G, which lead to the motor pneumatics F.

The tracker G is shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, with vents 79 and 82 open through perforations in the sheet. This places valve mechanisms V and V in the conditions shown in Fig. 1, the former being what may be called inactive and the latter being active to admit regulated tension between pistons 35 and 36 of the regulator cylinder. A preceding perforation 80 had previously rendered valve mechanism V idle, giving it the condition shown in Fig. 1.

Starting therefore with the same conditions shown in Fig. 1, brought about by the perforations 79 82 and 8O .further travel of the sheet brings perforations 67 and 8l into registry with the tracker. I

The perforation 67 negatives the previou effect of the perforations 79 and renders the valve mechanism V active to admit regulated tension above the piston 36. In like manner, the perforation 81 renders the valve mechanisln V active to admit regulated tension between the pistons 3 i and 35. Thus all of the valve mechanisms are active; and regulated tension is present throughout the parts of the regulating cylinder. Under these circumstances the piston area factor of the proportion hereinbefore referred to, has (in the specific construction) its maximum value and therefore, by the inverse proportion, the regulated tension has itslowest value. Thus the note n following the perforations 67 and 81 will be played with the lowest intensity which for convenience may be called the first intensity.

In further movement of the perforated sheet a perforation 79 registers with the tracker and changes the valve mechanism V to the inactive position shown in Fig. 1, wherein atmosphere is admitted above the piston 36. Under these conditions regulated tension prevails between pistons 34 and 35, and 35 and 36. Thus the piston; area factor of the proportion is reduced by the area of thepiston 36; and the regulated tension is correspondingly increased, the increase, in the specific instance, bringing the regulated tension. to the next higher level. Thus a note controlled by the perforation a? following the perforation 79 will be played at the next higher intensity, which may be called the second intensity.

"In further movement of the sheet perforations 67 and 83 register with the tracker board. The perforation 67 changes the valve mechanism V to active condition, admitting regulated tension above the piston 36 5 and the perforation 83 renders the valve mechanism. V inactive, admitting atmosphere between the pistons 35 and 36. Under these conditions the piston area variable factor of the proportion is further reduced; and regulated tension proportionately increased to a second higher level. Accordingly, a note controlled by aperforation u following the perforations 67 and 83 will be played with the third intensity. 1

Further travel of the perforated sheet brings a perforation 79* into register with the tracker. This renders the valve mechanism V inactive, admitting atmosphere above the piston 36. Thus regulated tension is present only between pistons 34 and 35; and the piston area variable in the proportion is further reduced, and the regulated tension increased to its third higher level. The note controlled by the perforation n will therefore be sounded with the fourth intensity.

In further movement of the sheet, perforations 67*, 8:2 and 80 register with the tracker. The perforations 67 changes the valve mechanism V to active condition, admitting regulated tension above the piston 36. The perforation 82 changes the valve mechanism V to active condition,- admitting regulated tension between the pistons 35 and p 36. The perforation 8O renders the valve mechanism V inactive, admitting atmospherebetween the piston 3st and 35. Thus the piston area variable factor of the proportion is further reduced; and regulated tension is correspondinglyincreased to its fourth higher level. Thus the note controlled by perforation n will be played with the fifth intensity.

A perforation 79 next registers with the tracker and renders the valve mechanism V inactive, admitting atmosphere above the piston 36, regulated tension prevailing then between pistons 35 and 36 only, and the regulated tension being at its fifth. higher level. so that the note controlled by perforation n is played with. the sixth intensity.

Perforations6? and 63 follow next. the former rendering the valve mechanism V inactive, to admit regulated tension above the piston 36. The perforation 83 renders the valve mechanism V inactive. Thus the piston area variable fa tor of the proportion is reduced to the area of the piston 36: and,

correspondingly, the regulated tension is increased to its sixth higher level, and the note controlled by perforation n is played with the seventh intensity.

A perforation 75- next follows, rendering the valve mechanism V inactive and admitting atmosphere above the piston 36. Thus atmosphere is present throughout the regulating cylinder; and the piston area variable factor of the proportion is reduced substantially to zero, and regulated tension is increased to its highest level, which may be substantially that of high tension. Accordingly, the note governed by perforation n will be sounded with the highest or normal intensity, prevailing when the entire expression mechanism is idle. a

It will be observed that the notes represented by'perforations n to n inclusive, constitute a crescendo, each note being sounded with one of the graded intensities provided in the specific illustrative.mechanism. The preceding explanation is illustrative only, being designed merely to exemplify the operation of the specific apparatus shown in the drawing. It is to be understood of course that the parts may be varied in numher, and proportioned in any practicable manner, as will appear to those skilled in the art.

As in the described cresendo of notes 7?? to ninclusive, the. natural sequence of tones demanded by a. composition being played, may prescribe such relative positioning of the note perforationsv that, as shown, the intensity perforations'67 81 79 etc., may bereadily located to give the desired effects, bymerely placing each such perforation in position to change the regulated tension at or before theinstant that the appropriate.

tone is to be sounded. r 4

l/Vhem'howevena group of notes is intended to be played substantially simultaneously; it may be desired toplayfcertain notes of the group louder than the others; and this maybe readily effected, forinstance by arranging the perforations for the louder note or notes in advance. of those for the softer notes; and placing an intensityreducing perforation in the rear of the loudernote perforations, and-in position to control the softer-notes. V i

' For example, referring to Fig. 2, the perforation p may be for a theme note; and 12) for an accompaniment note therefor. 11 order to emphasize the theme note sothat it shall be more prominent than the accompaniment, intensity perforations and 22 may reduce the intensity ofthe note played by the accompaniment perforation p, the theme perforation p being moved forward on thesheet so that it sha-ll be beyond the effect ofthe intensity reducing perforations p and p Likewise the perforations p, p? and 17 may play a chord with perforation p", the latter being moved forward so as to be beyond the influence of the intensity reducing perforation p whi'ch is in alignment with perforations p pland p and which effects a differentiation between-the tone of perforation 79 and the remainder of the chord, by subduing the latter without in any sense affecting the former.

Thus in all cases requiring a displacement of note perforations from their natural relations, those for the louder notes are advanced beyond the others, and the latter are placed properly in relation tattle intensity reducing perforations to reduce the'intensity of notes played thereby.

The preceding description will suflice to explain, for purposes of illustration, one of the various embodiments of which the jinvention is susceptible; but it is to be under stood of course that the invent-ion is by no means essentially limited to the specific construction, organization, and mode of opera tion described. Also, it is not indispensable that all of the features of the invention be used conjoint-1y, since they may be used sepa- "ately .to advantage.

I believe myself to be the first to invent governing means for automatic musical instruments comprising a fluid-balanced or completely fluid-controlled regulating device, such as is exemplified, in one specific construction and use, by the piston structure and cylinders hereinbefore referred to. As regards features of the invention pertaining to a fluid balanced regulating member, and as regards other features which will appear to those familiar with the art, I believe myself entitled to be considered a pioneer.

Claims:

1. In an automatic musical instrument, the'combination of playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulatedavind container means for connecting, said container to playing-pneumatics for causing operation of the latter; a wind-supply container; means for connecting the latter with said regulated windrcontainer; governing means free from active mechanical Irestraint. and situated intermediate the regulated-wind container and the wind-supply container, to govern communication there between; and means to operatepneumatt cally said governing means.

individual notes to be sounded; a regulatedwind container; means for connecting said container to playing-pneumatios for causing means to vary the extent of said area sub-' jected to said pneumatic pressure.

In an automatic musical instrument, the

combination of playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulatedwind container; means for connecting said container to playing-pneumatics for causing operation of the latter; a wind-supply contamer; means for connecting the latter with said regulated-wind container; 21. regulating'valve mechanism intermediate the regulated-wind container and the wind-sup l 2. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of playing-pneumatics' for the container, including a governing device having an area subjected to pneumatic pressure from said regulated-wind container; and means to vary the extent of: said area sub jected to said pneumatic pressure.

4:. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulatedwind container; means for connecting said container to playing-pneumatics for causing operation of the latter; a wind-supply container; means for connecting the latter With said regulated-wind container; a throttle valve intermediate said containers to govern communication therebetween; and unitary valve governing means connected to said throttle valve and having an area arranged to be subjected to pneumatic pressure; and means for varying the extent of said area subjected to pneumatic pressure.

5. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of playing-Pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulatedwind container; means for connecting said container to playing-pneumatics for causing the operation of the latter; a wind-supply container; means for connecting the latter with said regulated-wind container; and a throttle valve mechanism intermediate said containers to govern communication there between, suspended therebetween exclusively by opposed pneumatic pressures.

6. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulatedwind container; means for connecting said container to playingpneumatics for causing operation of the latter; a wind-supply con tainer; means for connecting the latter with said regulated-wind container; and a throttle valve mechanism intermediate said containers to govern communication therebetween, merely suspended therebetween, and free from active mechanical restraint, by opposed pneumatic pressures.

7. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulatedwind container; means for connecting said container to playing-pncumatics for causing operation of the latter; a wind-supply container; means for connecting the latter with said regulatedqvind container; a throttle valve mechanism intermediate said containers to govern communication therebetween, suspended therebetween exclusively by opposed pneumatic pressures; and means to vary pneumatic action of one of said pneumatic pressures on said valve mechanism.

8. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulatedwind container; means for connecting said container to playing-pneumatics for causing operation of the latter; a Wind-supply container; means for connecting the latter with said regulated-wind container; a throttle valve intermediate said containers to govern communication therebetween; and valve governing means connected to said throttle valve, presenting an area arranged to receive pneumatic pressure; and controlling means to introduce pneumatic pressure from the regulated-wind container to different extents of said area.

9. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulatedwind container; means for connectingsaid container to playing-pneumatics for causing operation of the latter; a wind-supply container; means for connecting the latter with said regulated-wind container; a throttle valve intermediate said containers to govern communication therebetween; valve governing means connected to said throttle valve, presenting an area arranged to receive pneumatic pressure; controlling means to introduce pneumatic pressure from the regulated-wind container to different extents of said area; a tracker; and means operated from the tracker to govern said controlling means.

10. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulated-Wind container; means for connecting said container to playing-pneumatics for causing operation of the latter; a wind-supply container; means for connecting the latter with said regulated-wind container; at

throttle valve intermediate said containers to govern communication therebetwecn; and a valve governing member connected to said throttle valve, and having an area arranged to be subjected to pneumatic pressure; and means for applying pneumatic pressure selectively to fractional parts of said area to variably govern communication between the two containers.

11. A tone-governing apparatus for automatic musical instruments, the same comprising the combination of expression-regulating means to govern a plurality of grades of tone intensities; and governing means therefor free from active. mechanical restraint for causing any'such grade to be maintained as desired.

12. A tonegoverning apparatus for auto matic musical instruments, the same comprising automatically variable, expressionregulating means free from active mechanical restraint to govern a plurality of grades of tone intensity.

13. A tonegoverning apparatus for automatic musical instruments, the same comprising the combination of automatically variable expression-regulating means to govern a plurality of grades of tone intensity; and means free from active mechanical resingly or permutatively, 7 i In an aiiitomatic mus cal instrument, the conibinatioiioi"? playmg pneumatics for straintfor causing the same to maintain any iiiteiisity grade,as.desired. 1

'14; In an automatic musical instrument,

the combination of-playing pneumatics l or govern: communication therebetween; automatic means acted upon by regulated Wind? I to govern said throttle valve; and means for varying the efiectiveness of regulated Wind on said automatic means, tovary the action of the throttle valve; l a

-15 p1n an automatic musical instrument, the combination of playingneumatics for 'tlie individual notes to be sounded; a regu lated-wind container;'means for connecting said container to playing-pneumatics for causing operation of the latter ;'a Wind-f supply container means for connectlng the V latter with; said regnla'tedWind container a valve intermediate-said containers to gov ern communication therebetween; and valve separately exposed areas and selective means for opening said areas select vely to regu- ''larted Wind.

l6. lin air-automatic musical instrument, the combination or playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be soun d'ed-; 'a regu late'(l-iviiid container; means for connecting said container to playingpneumatics for causing operation of the latter; a Windsupply container; means for connecting the latter with said regulated-Wind container;

valve means for governing communication between said containers; and --unitary valve governing meanspresenting a'plurality of separately exposed areas ;andmea-ns for ap-- to said areas plying pneumatic pressure the individual notes to bes'oundedj; a regulated-windcontainer; means for connecting saidv container to playing-pneumatics for causing. operation of the :latter; a Windsupply container; means for'connecting the latter 'with said regulatedqvind container;

valve ,ineans :t'o'r governingcommunication Y between "said containers;" and valve govern ing means presentingal plurality of separately exposed areas: and means for applyiiig 'i'egulated wind to said areas singly or perniutativel 18. in an automatic'niusical instrument, the combination of playii g-pneumatics tor the individual notes to be sounded; a regal-- lated-ivind containem means connecting said contain to playingpneumatics it'or causing operation of the latter; a Wind-sup-- ply container; means for connecting the latter with i said regulatedwvind" container; valve means for controllingcommunication between said containers;a movable'valve mutatively to regulated Wind; atracker; and tracker controlled governing means for.

said last named means;

20. In an automaticmusical instrument,

the combination of playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulated-wind container; means for connecting said container to playingneumatics for the cause of operation of the latter; a Windsupply container; means for connecting the latter with said regulated-wind container; a

throttle valve intermediate'said containers to governing means presenting a plurality ofeluding the'pneumatic pressure of regulated Wind acting upon an area of said valve governing means, whereby the regulated-wind pressure multiplied by the area acted upon thereby tends to equal and balance the forces opposed thereto; and means for disturbing said balance by varying one of said areas.

21. In an automatic musical instrument, thecombination of playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulated-Wind container; means for connecting said container to playing-pneumatics' for causing operation of thelatter; a wind-sup V plyc'ontainer; means for connecting the latter with said regulated-Wind container; 21

, throttle valve intermediate said containers to' govern communication therebetween; valve governing means connected to said throttle valve and bresenting acting areas to' opposed "pneumatic forces including the pneumatic pressure of regulated-Wind, whereby the regulated-wind pressure multiplied by the area acted upon thereby equals and balances theopposed pneumatic pressure multiplied by theflarea acted'upon thereby; and means for disturbing said balance by varying one of said areas.

22. In an automatic-musical instrument, the combination'o'f playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulated-wind container; means for connecting said container to playing pneumatics for causing operation oi? the latter; a wind-supply container: means for connectingthe 1at-- ter with said regulatedind container; a

throttle valve intermediatesaid containers to govern communication .therebetvveen; valve governing means connected to said throttle valve and presenting acting areas to Opposed pneumatic forces including the pneumatic pressure of regulated wind, whereby the regulated-Windpressure multiplied by thearea acted upon thereby equals and balances the opposed pneumatic pressure multiplied by thearea acted uponlthereby; and means for disturbing said balance by varying either of said areas. I

28. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of playing-pneumatics for the'individual notes to be sounded; a regulated-Wind container; means for connecting said container to playing-pneumatics for causing operation of the latter; a Wind'supply container; means for connecting the latter with said regulated'ivind container; a throttle valve intermediate said containers to govern communication therebetween; va lve governing means connected to said throttle valve and presenting acting areas to opposed pneumatic forces including the pneumatic pressure of regulated-wind, whereby the regulated Wind pressure multiplied by the area acted upon thereby equals and balances the opposed pneumatic pressure multiplied by the area acted upon thereby; and means for disturbing said balance by varying both ofsaid areas.

24. vIn an automatic musical instrument, thecombination of playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulated-Wind container; means for connecting said container to playing-pneumatics for causing operation of the latter; a Wind-supply container; means for connecting the lattcr with said regulated-Wind container; a throttle valve intermediate said containers to govern communication therebetween; valve governing means connected to said valve and having an area to be acted upon by pneumatic pressure; and means for admitting atmosphere and regulated-Wind alternatively to said area. 7 v

25. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulated-Wind container; means for connecting said container to playing-pneumatics for causing operation of the latter; a wind-supply container; means for connecting the latter with said regulated-Wind container; a throttle valve intermediate said containers to govern communication therebetvveen; valve governing means connected to said valve and having a plurality of areas to be acted upon by pneumatic pressure; and means for admitting atmosphere and regulated-Wind alternatively to said areas respcctively.

26. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulated-Wind container; means for connecting said containers to playing pneumatics for causing operation of the latter; a wind-supply container; means for connecting the latter With said regulated-Wind container; a throttle valve intermediate said containers to govern communication therebetween; valve governing-means connected to said valve and havinga plurality of areas to be acted upon by pneumatic pressure; and means for admitting atmosphere to certain of said areas and regulated-Wind to other said areas.

27. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulated-wind container; means for connecting said container to .playing-pneumatics for causing operation of the latter; a Wind-supply container; means for connecting the latterwith said regulated-Wind container; a throttle valve intermediate said containers to govern communication therebetween unitary valve governing means connected to said throttle valve and having an area arranged to be subjected to pnematic pressure; and a plurality of valve mechanisms separatelyoperable for applying pneumatic pressures todi'fierent fractional parts of said area.

28. In .an automatic musical instrument, the combination of playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulated-Wind container; means for connecting said container to .playing-pneumatics "for causing operation of the latter; a Wind-supply container; means .tor connecting the latter with said regulated-Wind container; valve means to govern communication between said containers; valve governing means connected to said valve means and comprising a piston; and means for applying difi'erent pneumatic pressures to opposite sides of said piston to control the latter by the differential pressure.

29. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of playing-pneumatics for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulated-vvind container; means for connecting said container to playing-pneumatics for causing operation of the latter; a Wind-supply container; means for connecting the latter With said regulated-Wind container; valve means to govern communication between said containers; and valve governing means comprising a piston structure having thereon pistons oi different areas.

30. In an automatic musical instrument,

the combination of :playing-pneumatics for 7 regulating piston-valve; .a' pl rality of pislatter with said regulated-wind container; valve means to govern communication between saidcontainersgi; valve. governing '31; In; an autoniaticmusica1 instrument, thecombination'of playing-pneumatics 'for the individual notes to be sounded; a regulated-windf container; means for connecting said containento playing pneumatics for causing operation of the. latter; a wind-supply container; means for connecting the latter with "said regulated-wind container; valve means to govern. communication between said ;contai-ners; valve. governing means having. anarea .to be subjected to regulated-wind; a. tracker; means operated from oneftrackervent to admit regulated.- wind to said valve governing means, and operated by another tracker vent to cut off regulated-wind therefrom.

32. A to'n e governing apparatusforautomatic musical instruments comprising, in combination, a regulating-valve; a plurality of pistons to govern the same; and cylinder means for the pistons. e V

33. A tone-governing apparatus for automatic musical instruments comprising, in

combination, a regula ting-valve; a plurality A of 'connected pistons to. govern the same; and cylindermeans therefor.

34. A tone governing apparatus for automatic musical :instruinents comprising, in combination, aQi-egulating-v alve; a plurality of pistons, having acommon stem, to govern the valve; aiid cylinder meanstherefor. Y 35. A tone-governing apparatus for automatic musical instruments: comprising a tons, for governing the same; .a common stem for the valve and said pistons; and

cylinder means for the latter.

36 A tone-governingapparatus matic musical. instruments,:comprising, in combination, containers for high and regulated tensions respectively; regulatingmeans for varying the tension n, the regulated tension container;aiid controlling means ex posed to and operated by high tension for introducing regulated tension to said regu-v lating means. U p r y 37. In an automatic musical instrument,

thefcombination of playingneumatics for the ind vidual notes to be sounded; a regulated-wind container; means for connecting said container to playing-pneumatics for causing operation of the latter; n' windsupply container; means for connecting the latter with said regiilatedavindcontainer; a throttle valve intermediatesaid containers to govern communication therebetweeii; valve governing means connected to. said for autovalve and having anarea to be acted upon by pneumatic pressure; and means for admitting atmosphere and regulated-wind to act in opposition to the pneumatic pressure acting upon said area.

38. In an automatic musical instrument the combinationoi' playing pneumatics; a main source of i power for operating the playing pneumatics; a throttle valve in termediate the main'source of power and the playing pneumatics; valve governing means controlled by opposed forces in- "cluding the pneumatic pressure of regu lated-air upon a variable acting area 6X- posed thereto, whereby the regulated air pressure multiplied by the area acted upon tends to close'said valve and equals and balances the opposing force which tends .to open said valve; and means i'o'ir 'disturbing said balance by varying the area acted upon byregulated air pressure.

39(In an automatic musical instrument the combination of playing pneumatics; a

main source of power for operating the playing pneumatics; a throttle valve intermediate said source of power and said playing pneumatics; valve governing means connected to said valve including means providing a force tending to open I said valve and an area to be acted upon by regulated pneumatic pressure to tend to close said valve; and means for admitting. atmosphere and regulated air to different parts of said area to vary the force tending to close said valve; 1

40. An instrument of the character described comprising, in combination, playing pneumatics; a main source of poweru for operating said playing pneumatics; a

throttle valve interposed between said source of power and the playing pneu-' .matics; a plurality of independently op erable regulating means connected to said throttle valve and adapted each to establish a different degree of regulation in; the power applied'to said playing, pneumatics;

ing pneumatics; .a main source of power and means to connect said regulating means for operating said playing pneumatics; a

throttle valve interposed between said source of power and the playing pneu-.

'matics; and a plurality of independently operable regulating means connected to said throttle valve; and means to introduce regulated air pressure to said regu latingmeans selectivelywor in combination.

42. I In a musical instrument the "combination of playing pneumatics; a main source of power for operating said playing pneumatics; a throttle valve intermediate said main source of power and the playing pne'uniatics to govern communication therebetween'; valve governing means connected to said throttle valve; and a plurality of individual regulating means having connection with regulated tension for controlling said valve governing means to initiate respectively different degrees of of playing intensity.

In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of playing pneumatics; a main source of power for operating the playing pneumatics; and pneumatically operated means free from active mechanical restraint and interposed between the main source of power and the playing pneumatics to maintain uniformity of playing intensity at any desired level.

In a pneumatic tension graduating device, the combination of a pneumatic, a tension graduating valve controlled thereby, an auxiliary pneumatic connected with the first named pneumatic directly for assisting its collapse, and means for connecting the auxiliary pneumatic with a source of air tension to set it into operation.

In a musical instrument, the combination with a tube "For conducting air from an action, a main wind-way, and means for conducting air from one to the other, of a pneumatic, means for conducting the air to the pneumatic for the purpose of reducing the air tension on the action, a second pneumatic, the movable leaf of which is fixed to the movable leaf of the first pneumatic, and

means for connecting the second pneumatic assisters for exerting closing force upon the controller to reduce the air tension and means for energizing said assisters one by one in sequence.

47. In a self-playingmusical instrument, an expression governing device including a pneumatic having yielding means for opening it with a force substantially equal to that of the air tension therein necessary to produce a certain tone effect, and pneumatic means for exerting a closing effect upon the first-named pneumatic against the "action of said o 'iening means. I

48. In a self-playing musical instrument, an expression-governing device including a pneumatic, yielding, means tor opening said pneumatic under a predetermined force sutficient to cause the production of loud tone effects, a pneumatic assister for exerting closing pressure upon the first-named pneumatic against the action of the opening means to cause the production of softer tone effects, and means for energizing said pneumatic assister.

&9. In a self-playing musical instrument,

atmosphere port in communication with the exhaust port and with the atmosphere to cause the operation of the auxiliary pneumatic.

50. In a self-playing musical instrument,

an expression-govelning device including a pneumatic and means for opening the same under a force sufficient to cause the instrument to play with a certain tone effect, in combination with an auxiliary pneumatic acting upon the first-named pneumatic in opposition to said opening means, an exhaust chamber, and means for placing the auxiliary pneumatic in communication with the exhaust chamber.

51. In a self-playing musical instrument, an expression-governing device including a pneumatic, and means for opening the same under a force suflicient to cause the instrumentto play with a certain tone effect, in combination with an auxiliary pneumatic acting upon the first-named pneumatic in opposition to said opening means, an exhaust chamber, and means for alternately placing said auxiliary pneumatic in communication with the exhaust chamber anct with the atmosphere.

52. In a self-playing musical instrument,

an expression-governing device including a pneumatic and means for opening the same under a force SLlfllClel'll? to cause the menument to operatewith a certain tone effect, in

combination With an auxiliary pneumatic acting upon the first-named pneumatic in opposition to said opening means and normally in communication with the atmosphere, an exhaust chamber, and means for cutting oif communication between the auxiliary pneumatic and atmosphere and placing it in communication with the exhaust chamber.

53. In a pneumatic tension graduating de vice, the combination of a pneumatic, a tension graduating valve controlled thereby, an auxiliary pneumatic connected with the first named pneumatic for assisting its collapse, and means for connecting said auxiliary pneumatic with the interior of the first named pneumatic to assist its operation.

5%. In a pneumatic tension graduating device, the combination of a pneumatic, a tension graduating valve controlled thereby, a

them into Operation.

the auxiliary pneumatics successively in predeterminable sequence with a source of a1r tension to set them into operation.

56, The combination with a main windway, means for conducting air from an action to the wind-way, and a valve for choking the tension, of a pneumatic adapted to be connected with said means and adapted to be collapsed when connected therewith, the movable member of which constitutes means for moving said valve into its choking position, a second pneumatic, the movable member of which is fixed with respect to the first named movable .member, and means whereby the second pneumatic can be connected with a source of air tension, whereby both pneumatics will operate together and still further close said valve. 7

57 In a self-playing musical instrument, an expression-governing device including a pneumatic, means for Opening said pneumatic with a predetermined force sufiicient to cause the production of loud tone effects, an auxiliary pneumatic connected to and coacting with the movable side of the firstnamed pneumatic against the action of said opening means to cause the production of softer tone effects, an exhaust chamber, and means for opening and closing communication between the exhaust chamber and said auxiliary pneumatic.

58. A tone-governing apparatus for au tomatic musical instruments comprising, in combination, a regulating valve; a plurality of chambers each having a fixed Wall and a movable wall,said movable walls being connected to a common valve stem to govern said valve; and means to connect said chamhers with regulated wind and atmosphere. 59. Controlling mechanism for a pneumatically operated musical instrument comprising, in combination, a pneumatic regu- V lating device and means to admit thereto regulated air and atmosphere in varying relations.

60. Controlling mechanism for a pneumatically operated musical instrument comprising, in combination, a pneumatic regulating device, means to admit a maximum of regulated air thereto for a certain efi'ect and means to admit atmosphere thereto for a different effect.

61. Controlling mechanism for a pneumatically operated musical instrument comprising, in combination, a pneumatic regulating device, means to admit a maximum of regulated air thereto to produce soft tone effects and means to admit atmosphere thereto to produce louder tone effects.

62; Controlling mechanism for a pneumatically operated musical instrument comprising, in combination, a pneumatic regulating device, means to admit regulated air thereto and means to admit atmosphere with an effect progressively lessening the effect of regulated air.

68. Expression controlling mechanism for a pneumatically operated musical instru presence of 

